Chapter 21: No Enemies, No Meetings

Ashina Yanyun never dreamed that in his own territory, inside his own military camp, he would be captured alive by a single man.

However, having seen his fair share of storms, Ashina Yanyun knew the man did not intend to take his life. If he had truly wanted him dead, he would have perished the moment that explosion occurred.

"Fine. Since you want to talk, then let’s talk!"

"All of you stand guard outside. No one is to enter without my orders."

After issuing this command, Ashina Yanyun and Li Yuanying entered the central command tent. Once inside, Ashina Yanyun’s voice relaxed: "Tell me, can you let me go now?"

Li Yuanying gave a cold sneer and released him. Within this distance, if Li Yuanying so desired, he could claim the life of this Sixth Prince of the Northern Wu Kingdom at any moment.

"Speak. What was that thing you were holding, and what did your master send you to negotiate?"

Ashina Yanyun had keenly sensed that beyond the sound of the explosion, there had been wailing from the camp’s stables. The device carried a primal sense of bloodline suppression, causing the warhorses to become extremely restless and anxious. If such a weapon were to explode on a battlefield, it would not only shatter the horses but also the soldiers riding them—especially since the Northern Wu Kingdom was founded by nomadic tribes who inherently disdained wearing heavy armor.

"This is called a 'Heaven-Shattering Thunder.' It was invented by my master specifically to deal with cavalry. As long as your forces dare to advance, these Thunders will be used entirely on your Northern Wu cavalry. Not a single one will be wasted!"

In a flash, as if performing a magic trick, Li Yuanying pulled another one from his robe. Upon seeing the round, intricate object, Ashina Yanyun’s expression shifted instantly.

"Are you threatening me, yet still hoping to negotiate?"

*Clang.*

To his surprise, Li Yuanying slammed the Heaven-Shattering Thunder down onto the desk in the middle of the tent.

"Even if I gave it to you, you wouldn't know how to use it! It isn't as simple as just lighting a fuse." Li Yuanying’s eyes were filled with triumph.

Who could have imagined? The very night Lin Qian arrived in Chunping City, he had developed this explosive device. As a military man, he understood its destructive potential better than anyone. A single Heaven-Shattering Thunder could blow a massive crater into the Northern Wu camp. If ten, or a hundred were used, the carnage would be unimaginable. At the mere thought, a feverish excitement stirred within Li Yuanying.

"My master is coming to take the Princess home. If you, Sixth Prince, insist on standing in his way, my master will fight you to the bitter end. I wonder how many of the great army you brought will make it back to Northern Wu alive?"

*Hiss!*

Ashina Yanyun was stunned. He had assumed these men of the Southern Dynasty were weak and easily bullied, but it seemed they were not lacking in grit.

"Is it just because she is a princess? I fell in love with this Thirteenth Princess of the Great Qian at first sight, and I have no intention of letting her suffer. When I return to Northern Wu, I will immediately crown her as my Imperial Consort. One day, when I ascend the throne, she will be my *Eshi*. Our Northern Wu *Eshi* is not like the Empresses of your Great Qian."

Indeed, Ashina Yanyun spoke the truth. The *Eshi* of the Northern Wu was not merely the Khan's wife; she was a powerful figure who held authority over the military and the state. Should any misfortune befall the Khan, the *Eshi* could continue to lead the Northern Wu with absolute authority.

"Tell me, is the Thirteenth Princess of Great Qian really at a loss to be with me, Ashina Yanyun?"

Just as he was speaking to himself, Li Yuanying let out a soft laugh.

"Forgive me, but my master said he did not come for a weak negotiation. If Your Highness does not agree to this request, all the Heaven-Shattering Thunders will rain down upon your camp. I hope you will consider it carefully. You had best reach Fenglin Ferry tonight. Do you understand?"

Fenglin Ferry? Ashina Yanyun was momentarily taken aback. He had over a hundred thousand troops; was he supposed to be afraid? Even if the enemy had these Thunders, so what?

An army of over a hundred thousand could simply crush them; not even the Heaven-Shattering Thunder could stop the iron hoofs of Northern Wu.

"How many troops does your master have, to dare speak to me like this?" Ashina Yanyun sneered.

Li Yuanying replied calmly, "My master has brought only ten thousand troops to meet you. As for how many you wish to bring, Your Highness, that is entirely up to you."

With that, Li Yuanying turned and left, heading south toward Chunping City. Ashina Yanyun slammed his fist onto the desk. He could not fathom how a mere "Southern barbarian" could possess such courage.

That night, Ashina Yanyun led thirty thousand cavalrymen, racing toward Fenglin Ferry. Thirty thousand against ten thousand—it was a guaranteed victory. He had even sent scouts ahead to survey the surroundings of the ferry.

At that very moment, Lin Qian was waiting on the banks of Fenglin Ferry.

Li Yuanying frowned beside him: "Master, do you think the Sixth Prince will actually come? What if they just took their hundred thousand troops and headed back to Northern Wu, leaving us here to wait for nothing?"

Lin Qian shook his head slightly. Although he had never met Ashina Yanyun, he understood the arrogance of youth. A young man who could sweep across neighboring tribes and command the loyalty of a massive army possessed true ability. Such a person would not easily retreat when faced with a challenge. Furthermore, even with the threat of the Heaven-Shattering Thunder, Ashina Yanyun still believed in his own cavalry; he simply did not believe in the power of the weapon.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves echoed in the distance, and the earth began to tremble.

"He's here! He's coming!"

The thirty thousand cavalrymen Ashina Yanyun brought were different from the rest of the Northern Wu forces; they were elite heavy cavalry clad in black armor, with their warhorses similarly protected. Black banners fluttered, creating a suffocating sense of pressure.

*Boom, boom, boom.*

The war drums roared and then suddenly went silent. The cavalry stopped in their tracks, as if Ashina Yanyun wanted Lin Qian to witness the full might of his military power.